Missing meds & I'm getting the blame

Hi! I'm brand new to the boards but have lurked for years. Forgive me if I say or do the wrong thing here.

I've been an RN for 11+ yrs and have 5 yrs inpatient hospice experience. I started home hospice 8 months ago and found it VERY different. Emotionally I had a difficult time. I was stressed to the point that it was affecting my health, I couldn't eat, my IBS was consistently flaring up and I'd lost 40+ lbs in the past year.

To make a long story short, I took a much needed vacation in early July and when my family saw me they were startled and very worried. Several people talked to me about the stress that I've been under and if I should consider another field for now. I finally agreed and called my boss. She was okay with it. I'd recently decreased my patient load, our census was down, so another nurse was able to pick up my case load and I didn't have to work out a notice. Perfect, right? I stayed home with family for 3 more weeks and rested and can already tell it was the stress that was doing me in.

When I returned to the town I live in, I had to go to the hospice office and turn in all of their equipment, patient supplies I had in my car, and so on. That's when I find out that a bottle of Lortab was missing from one of my patient's home. The DON said she was waiting for me to return it. Now, my last day before leaving for vacation was very busy as I was trying to get my patients all set for my 10 day absence (I very much baby-ed them) and it was a crazy day but I'm sure I took that Rx to the patient. BUT, the nurse that followed me says the Rx is not there. Now, in this home are two patients we see...one with CA with mets to the brain and the other with Alzheimer's. There are other workers from our agency in the home: the social worker, CNA, chaplain, this new nurse. But my DON says since I was the one to pick up the med from the pharm and deliver and now it is missing, she has to report it to the state BON!!! I have NEVER in my life diverted a single pill.

Now I have no idea what to do. Does anyone have any idea what my punishment might be? What should I be doing to prepare? Should I get a lawyer??

Any advice would be much appreciated. Part of me isn't afraid because I know I'm not at fault but another part of me worries that the BON will tear me apart. I worked hard for that license and this is my livelihood we're talking about! I have no intentions to return to work in our current state...it's time for a break and to focus on my family...but I don't want this to affect me when I am ready to work again!
I got a bit lost- how long had it been since the med was picked up, and when it was noticed? Reason I'm asking is IF it's been long enough for the med to be in your system IF you had taken it, do a drug screen and show that it's negative.... I'm not sure if it would show up in hair samples (and it may be very expensive to test), but might be worth checking out if it could keep you from going through the BON "peer assistance" programs- you don't loose your license, but for someone who doesn't have a drug problem, very time consuming. I'm sorry you're going through this

The med was picked up on 6/29. So it certainly would've had time to get out of my system by now had I taken it. I've looked at the nurse recovery program for our state and it's a 3 year deal. I don't think it's fair to have to go through a recovery program when I'm not an addict!

Quote from ForeverMovingThe med was picked up on 6/29. So it certainly would've had time to get out of my system by now had I taken it. I've looked at the nurse recovery program for our state and it's a 3 year deal. I don't think it's fair to have to go through a recovery program when I'm not an addict!

Man this all sux so bad. I'd be done with nursing if this happened to me. DONE, OUT THAT DOOR, NEVER LOOK'IN BACK KIND OF DONE!

Forevermoving, if you did not take the medication, then the truth shall prevail and you will be ok

Quote from sweetnurse63Forevermoving, if you did not take the medication, then the truth shall prevail and you will be ok

Oh, man!!!!!! This might have ruined me on nursing, at least in home care. So u got the bottle, took it to the patient's home. Is it secured at home? Family member that may have gotten to it? How many staff members have been there after u think u remember taking the drug there? Just my .02Anne, RNC

Quote from ForeverMovingAny advice would be much appreciated. Part of me isn't afraid because I know I'm not at fault but another part of me worries that the BON will tear me apart. I worked hard for that license and this is my livelihood we're talking about! I have no intentions to return to work in our current state...it's time for a break and to focus on my family...but I don't want this to affect me when I am ready to work again!

Quote from xtxrnAnother idea- get your license where you're going ASAP..... Your current BON may not become involved.... but if so, you'd already have the license for the state you're going to....

btw Sorry for typos I'm using an old computer with missing keys.

Who is to say that nurse #2 didn't take them and blame you? They really don't have any proof that you diverted meds and like you said, there are a lot of people in and out of the house.

Quote from FixitNO NO NO. This is ABSOLUTELY verbotin and will get you discipline in BOTH states. When you apply for the new license in the new state the new BON will always ask if you have a pending investigation.OP don't do something like this. You sound innocent so you should be cleared. Ask for a hair drug annaylis.